Bidet for attachment to conventional commodes



March 4, 1969 M. VAN HOUTEN 3,430,267

BIDET FOR ATTACHMENT TO CONVENTIONAL COMMOD ES Filed Feb. 20, 1967 Q fl '5 a: a f a O I: I I N 3 INVENTOR. FRANCES M. VANHOUTEN (\l N I w l N m I r- N N l United States Patent 3,430,267 BIDET FOR ATTACHMENT TO CONVENTIONAL COMMODES Frances M. Van Houten, 3009 Speedway, Wichita Falls, Tex. 76308 Filed Feb. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 617,206 US. Cl. 4-6 Int. Cl. A47k 3/22, 11/08 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to pumbing fixtures, and more particularly to plumbing fixtures of the general character of bidets.

Various bidets have been proposed heretofore, but these, for the most part, were so constructed that they could not be made an attachable accessory to conventional plumbing fixtures, such as a conventional commode.

The present invention is so constructed that it may be readily adapted to practically any type plumbing fixture, such as a commode, with a minimum of change. The pres- .ent device is so constructed that anyone may readily make use thereof; and it is particularly adaptable for use in public rest rooms, such as hotels, motels, and hospitals, or may be used by normal individuals, but is particularly useful to the partially handicapped, and for the use by individuals who require equipment to provide special care.

The need for sanitation and cleanliness in personal hygiene is recognized as a means for prevention of the spread of disease. The convenience and ease of using the present device facilitates exercising personal hygiene, thereby retarding the spread of disease and increasing personal cleanliness, which is the primary concept of the present invention.

The present device is so constructed that, with minor attachments to the conventional toilet commode or stool, the device may be readily used to obtain complete cleanliness. The device is also constructed so that it may be readily installed as an accessory to a bathroom or restroom commode, to be used by an individual seated on the commode to thoroughly wash the gential and excretory portions of the body, and is adapted for use by both male and female.

-An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the bidet type, which may be readily adapted to a con ventional plumbing commode fixture, without alteration thereof, by the simple addition of certain accessories.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bidet attachment for a commode plumbing fixture, which does not deter from the normal use of the fixture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bidet whereby water may be directed into the bowl of the commode until the correct temperature for use is reached, in accordance with the setting of the hot and cold water regulating valves; or the proper temperature of the water having been attained, the flow thereof can be switched from downward discharge into the bowl of the commode, into the discharge conduit, whereby it is 3,430,267 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 directed onto the lower portions of the body to enable thorough washing and cleansing thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bidet, whereby the water may be directed onto the lower portion of the body, either in a solid stream, or as a spray, or a hose with a syringe tip may be used for internal therapy or cleansing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shield piping arrangement in which siphon breaker valves are mounted to enable the water to be directed from a water system, such as a city water system, and when the water pressure is released, all pressure exerted in the reverse direction will cause the siphon breaker valves to close the water inlet pipe and divert the water outward through an opening to prevent cross connection and thereby to prevent contamination of water of the system, such as the city water system.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a bidet with a discharge pipe which is made of material that is yieldable so it may be adjusted to direct a stream or a spray of water in a specific direction, or the water may be directed to a certain area, in accordance with the particular angle at which the discharge conduit is installed on the upper face of the commode.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a bidet with a discharge pipe, which pipe is substantially covered by the toilet seat, and which pipe will direct water upward to a preselected location intermediate the length of the opening in the toilet seat.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a three-way swing check valve as a siphon breaker, which will permit free flow of water in one direction, but will perform a check valve operation when the flow is reversed, which flow closes the water supply line and opens the lateral outlet in the siphon breaker check valve.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a slotted mounting bracket, to be interposed between the toilet seat and the bowl thereof, whereby the slots therein are so elongated that it will fit various arrangements of the hinge bolt holes in various types of commodes.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a three-way switching valve within the water supply line, to selectively switch water from one pipe to another pipe, when the required temperature for use has been reached.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple attachment, whereby to convert a conventional toilet commode into a combination commode and bidet, which attachment may be readily installed on most types of commodes, without manufacturing alterations thereto, which attachment is low in the cost of manufacture, easy to install, and simple and effective in operation.

With these objects in mind, and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational 'view of a conventional commode, with portions thereof broken away, and with portions being shown in section to bring out the details of construction, showing the bidet attachment installed thereon, as connected to a hot and cold water supply;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a commode with portions thereof broken away, and with portions being shown in section, showing the bidet attachment installed thereon, showing the water connections thereof, showing the discharge pipe thereof in full outline in one position, and showing alternate positions of the discharge pipe in dashed outline;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the portion of the bidet attachment as attached to the commode bowl, showing a syringe tube and tip attached thereto for use as an internal irrigation apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the pipes wherein the automtaic siphon breaker check valve is located, showing the valve in position to prevent retrogression of sewage or other contaminating fluid into the water supply pipes of the water system, with arrows indicating the path of discharge of unwanted fluids;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the swing type, siphon breaker check valve in position to close the lateral outlet opening of the valve, to prevent water which passes from the water supply line into the bidet discharge conduit from passing out through the lateral opening within the swing type valve;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary portion of the bidet and discharge irrigating conduits, showing a spray head thereon, which may be made of metal or elastomer material, to enable the spray head to be fitted thereon so as to irrigate and/ or cleanse the lower portion of the body.

With more detailed reference to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally a conventional toilet cornmode having the usual bowl 2, a water reservoir 4, and a hingeable seat 6, which commode is plumbed in the usual manner well understood in the art of plumbing. The commode, comprising the bowl, the .water reservoir, and seat are representative, as the present device may be adapted to and used in combination with practically all types of toilet bowls, either with or without water reservoirs.

The present inuvention is attached to a commode in such manner as to adapt the present commode for use both as a conventional commode and as a bidet for intimate personal care of the lower portions of the body. It is preferable to elevate the hinge pin 8 of the commode seat by positioning a spacer block 10 between the top portion 12 of the commode and the hinge 14 so as to elevate the seat 6 sufiiciently that conduits 16 and 18 may be extended thereunder and be encased within a casing 20 which houses siphon breaker valves 22 and 24, one of which valves is shown in an enlarged sectional view in FIGS. 5 and 6. The conduits 16 and 18 connect through switching valve 15 with the Water inlet pipe 38.

The siphon breaker valve 22 permits the water to pass from conduit 16 and through valve 22, which will cause an angulated flapper 26 to raise, as indicated in FIG. 6, to close a lateral opening, such as 23, and open the valve so the water may pass into conduit 28, which has downturned spout 30, as will best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the purpose of which conduit and down-turned spout will be more fully brought out hereinafter.

Upon cessation of flow of water through conduit 16, valve 22, and conduit 28, the angulated flapper 26 in conduit 28 will move from the full line position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in full line position as shown in FIG. 5; whereupon the angulated flapper 26 will seat upon a seat 27 in fluid tight relation; and in the event contaminated fluid should find its way into conduit 28 as through spout 30, the water supply connected to conduit 16 will be connected; and if the contamination should be a back-up or back-flow of sewage, the sewage or contaminated fluid will pass out through an opening 23 in the top of valve 22; this will prevent cross connection and protect the water system aganist contamination.

The conduit 18 is connected to the three-way switching valve 15, which conduit extends above the top of commode bowl 2 and is connected to siphon breaker valve 24 in a manner similar to that pointed out for the connection of conduit 16 to valve 22. However, an outlet conduit 32 is connected to the distal end of siphon breaker valve 24; this outlet conduit is bent to extend downward, as indicated at 34; then the end of the conduit is angularly upturned, as indicated at 36, to form a discharge spout.

It is preferable to have the discharge opening above the upper face of the bowl 2 so as to doubly insure against cross connection with the water supply system, should the bowl become clogged and filled with sewage, while the water system is being drained; this would normally cause a suction, whereupon the flapper in the valve 24 would close in the same manner as the flapper 26 in valve 22. This arrangement makes the present device doubly safe from cross connections 'and the contamination which could result therefrom.

The discharge spout portion 56 of conduit 32 is preferably made of a formable material, such as soft copper, yieldable plastic, or the like, so it may be directed at a selected angle as indicated by the arrow F IG. 2, or any desired angle within the opening within seat 6 as indicated in FIG. 2 in full and dashed outline.

The switching valve 15 has conduits 16 and 18 connected thereto, and to a single conduit 38 which leads therefrom, which conduit is connected to hot and cold water discharge pipes 40 and 42 by a T 44. The hot water pipe has a control valve 46 therein to regulate the amount of water directed therethrough from hot water supply line 48. A cold water control valve 50 is connected to the discharge pipe 42 and also to a conduit 52 to control the amount of cold water to be directed therethrough. While individual valves have been shown for controlling the amount and temperature of the water to be directed into the common conduit 38, it is to be understood that a single temperature control valve may be used instead of the valves as set out above, as is well known 'in the plumbing art. It is preferable to have the valves 46 and 50 mounted a spaced distance outward from the wall W, as will best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

By having the down-turned spout 30 discharging into the bowl, the water may be tempered to the correct temperature by the manipulation of valves 46 and '50. The switching valve 15 may then be moved from the position as shown in FIG. 1 with the arrow-like handle 17 pointing downward; this will direct the water from conduit 38 thereinto and into conduit 16 connected thereto, thence through siphon breaker valve 22; this will move the flapper 26 of valve 23 into the position as shown in FIG. 6, to discharge the water out of spout 30 into the bowl; and when the water is at the correct temperature, the handle 17 of the three-way switching valve 15 may be moved to another position, as for instance, with the arrow pointing upwardly, which will close the conduit 16 and prevent the water from being directed out through down-turned spout 30. The water will be directed into conduit 18 and through siphon breaker valve 24 into discharge conduit 36, at an angle, which will direct water, either in a solid stream or as a spray onto the lower portion of the body. A spray is accomplished by fitting a spray head 56 onto the distal end of up-turned portion 36 of conduit 32 to direct a spray of water over the lower portion of the body.

Furthermore, other accessory attachments may be attached directly to discharge conduit 36 for further personal hygiene, such as a hose or elastomer tube 58, which may have a suitable syringe tip 60 thereon; however the tip 60, as is well known in the art of syringes, may be changed to suit the particular function for which it is to be used.

It is to be pointed out that the simplicity of the present device and the adaptability of the device to practically all types of com-mode bowls, either with or without a water tank thereon, makes it a highly desirable personal hygiene additive to a conventional commode. Furthermore, a casing 20 is provided for siphon breaker valves 22 and 24; this casing is so constructed as to enclose the valves and a substantial portion of the conduit which extends beneath the seat, thereby enabling easier cleaning and also improving the appearance thereof. The casing 20 has outwardly extending side portions 64 which have elongated slots 66 therein enabling the outwardly extending portions 64 to be so placed, that the slots 66 will register with the conventional hinge bolt holes in the commode; even though the hole spacing should vary within limits, with the hinge bolts 70 passing through the apertured spacer blocks and through the elongated slots 66 so that the nuts 72 will securely hold the casing 20 in place, to which casing the down-turned spout 30 and discharge pipe 36 are rigidly secured.

It is preferable to have extensions 74 attached to the seat 6 near the forward thereof, to enable the discharge end of conduit 36 to normally be above the upper face of bowl 2, and below the seat 6; this will enable the discharge angle to be such that it will discharge water intermediate the length of the opening in seat 6, so that the water and fecal material, that might be Washed from the body, will drain downward into the bowl 2 of the commode, to enable this to be flushed therefrom in the conventional manner.

It will be readily appreciated that the valves 46, 50, and may be extended outward from wall W so they may be readily reached by the hand of the person using the bidet without having to turn the body or to assume an uncomfortable position, which might not be possible for a person who was crippled or semi-invalid.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A bidet attachment for commode bowls comprising:

(a) separate conduits for hot and cold water,

(b) a common conduit inter-connected in fluid communication with said hot and cold water conduits,

(c) valve means associated with said conduits to selectively control the proportionate amount of hot and cold water into said common conduit,

(d) switching valve operatively connected to said common conduit to selectively direct water into one of a pair of outlet conduits,

(e) said outlet conduits operatively connected to said switching valve and leading across a portion of the upper face of the bowl of said commode,

(1) one of said conduits leading downwardly to discharge water into the bowl of said commode until the desired temperature is obtained, and

(2) the other of said conduits being angularly disposed to direct water of the desired temperature angularly upward with respect to the upper face of the bowl of said commode.

2. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said conduit, which is angularly disposed, being adjustably bendable so as to adjust the angle of discharge of water from said conduit with respect to the horizontal.

3. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a spray head is detachably secured to said angulated conduit so water may be directed therethrough.

4. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a hose is detachably secured to said angulated conduit, and

(b) a tip for irrigation, is connected to said hose so water may be directed therethrough.

5. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) each said conduit leading across a portion of the upper face the bowl of said commode has a threeway check valve therein, each three-way check valve being adapted to admit the flow of water therethrough in one direction and to prevent reverse flow of water into said conduits leadin across the portion of the upper face of the bowl of said commode.

6. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 5, wherein:

(a) a member is pivotally mounted for swinging movement in each said three-way check valve within said conduits which leads across a portion of the upper face of bowl of said commode, and

(1) each three-way check valve having an opening formed in the upper side thereof and being closeable by said pivotally mounted, swinging member when water under pressure is selectively directed into each one said conduit by said switching valve.

7. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a housing extends over said conduits leading across a portion of the upper face of the bowl of said commode.

8. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 5, wherein:

(a) a housing extends over said three-way check valves that are connected in said conduits leading across a portion of the upper face of the bowl of said commode.

9. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a housing extends over said conduits leading across a portion of the upper face of the bowl of said commode,

(b) apertured ears are positioned on each side of said housing and are formed integral therewith, and

(c) fastening means securing said housin to the upper face of said commode.

10. A bidet attachment for commode bowls as defined in claim 9, wherein:

(a) slaid commode bowl having a seat associated therewit (b) elevating blocks secured to the lower face of said seat and being engageable with the upper face of said commode bowl,

(c) bolt members hingeably connecting said commode seat with theupper face of said commode bowl,

(1) said bolt members being said fastening means to secure said housing to the upper face of said commode, and

(2) said conduits being secured to said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,027,588 1/ 1936 Hannon 47 2,058,003 10/1936 Davies 4-7 2,826,761 3/1958 Lazarus et al. 47 2,957,180 10/ 1960 McMullen 47 3,045,669 7/1962 Altmann 4166 3,256,531 6/ 1966 Arensberg 47 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Exxaminer. HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 128229 

